Embedding Undergraduate Nursing Students as Patient Navigators in Federally Qualified Health Centers.

BACKGROUND

Enhancing nursing care coordination systems supports improvement of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates. This project implemented a nursing student-led patient navigation model to address open colonoscopy referrals while providing experiential, systems-based learning aligned with Kolb's experiential learning theory.

METHOD: Undergraduate nursing students in a community-focused clinical course were trained as patient navigators and partnered with nine federally qualified health centers (FQHC) to review and act on open colonoscopy referrals.

RESULTS

Students assessed 303 open referrals, resulting in 26% completed colonoscopies, 43% nonadherent cases, and 21% scheduled but wait listed. Through hands-on navigation activities, students strengthened competencies in communication, care coordination, workflow problem solving, and health equity advocacy.

CONCLUSION

A student-led navigation model is feasible and educationally valuable while improving CRC screening processes. This scalable approach enhances workforce readiness by providing real-world systems practice and supports FQHCs in reducing persistent screening barriers.